What Happens After You Submit a Brief on IconDevs

This is where it starts. You fill out our Brief Builder—a guided questionnaire that walks you through the key dimensions of your project. We're asking about:

• Project type and goals (MVP, feature build, greenfield, redesign)
• Technical scope (frontend/backend/both, complexity tier)
• Team composition you're looking for (size, seniority)
• Budget and timeline expectations
• Tech stack preferences (if any)
• Industry and integration requirements

The Brief Builder is AI-powered, so it understands context. If you say "we're a fintech startup," it automatically surfaces compliance considerations. If you mention "we need this in 6 weeks," it flags whether you're thinking about timeline realistically.

The output: a structured brief that's actually usable by agencies. Not a vague doc full of buzzwords. Real, actionable information.

Your brief doesn't immediately go to agencies. First, our system analyzes it to extract key attributes:

• Scope complexity (how much work, really)
• Required expertise (backend-heavy? design-heavy? DevOps?)
• Tech stack fit (does it require niche expertise or is it mainstream)
• Geographic preferences (timezone considerations, visa sponsorship needed)
• Risk factors (tight timeline, regulated industry, first-time builder)

This analysis is what powers matching. We're not throwing your brief at all 200 agencies. We're narrowing to the ones where there's real fit.

We send your brief (anonymized at first, unless you choose otherwise) to 5-8 pre-vetted agencies that match your criteria. We choose based on:

• Tech stack match: Do they have real experience in your required tech?
• Scope fit: Is this project size within their sweet spot?
• Timeline alignment: Can they realistically deliver in your window?
• Availability: Are they actually staffed up, or are they sold out?
• Geographic fit: Timezone compatibility, visa sponsorship capability

We don't match you with every agency. We match you with the ones who can actually win. That's the whole point.

Each matched agency now has your brief. They have 5 business days to submit a proposal. A good proposal includes:

• How they'd approach the project (specific methodology, phases)
• Timeline breakdown (realistic milestones, not vague estimates)
• Budget and pricing structure (fixed, T&M, hybrid)
• Team composition (who's senior, who's junior, who's QA)
• Relevant case studies (examples of similar work)
• Any questions or clarifications they need

Not all matched agencies will submit. Some realize it's not a fit. That's fine—better to know early than mid-project. Typically, 70-80% of matched agencies will submit a proposal.

Now you have 5-6 proposals in your IconDevs dashboard. You can:

• Use Quote Checker: Compare proposals side by side, spot differences in scope and pricing, see which are in market and which are outliers
• Use Contract Scanner: Review any proposed contract terms for red flags
• Access agency vetting data: See our detailed evaluation of each agency—tech stack scores, code quality, contract history, pricing validity
• Read our notes: Why we matched each agency for your project specifically

This is where transparency happens. You're not deciding in a vacuum. You have benchmarks, analysis, and context.

You reach out to 2-3 agencies you want to talk to more. This is where you test communication, vibe, and their understanding of your business. On the call, you should:

• Ask about their process—how do they actually work day to day?
• Dig into their timeline—are those estimates realistic?
• Test their tech advice—do they explain framework choices or just claim they're "the best"?
• Talk about your concerns—how would they handle change requests, pivots, scope creep?
• Ask for references—real past clients you can call

Also: do they ask you good questions? Do they probe your business model, user base, success metrics? Or do they just nod and say they can build it?

You pick an agency. You negotiate terms (if needed). You sign a contract. You kick off the project. At this point, IconDevs' job is done. The relationship between you and the agency is yours to own.

We're available for questions about how projects are going. We can advise if problems come up. But you're not paying us, and you don't answer to us—you answer to the agency, and they answer to you.

That alignment is intentional. We want you to hold agencies accountable because you have real leverage.